Former Michigan State player Mateen Cleaves thinks Michigan is a favorite to win the national title. / H. Darr Beiser, USA TODAY

by Joe Rexrode, USA TODAY Sports

by Joe Rexrode, USA TODAY Sports

As a national college basketball analyst, Mateen Cleaves wants to see a few weeks of conference play -- of top teams playing other top teams on the road -- before making any declarations about national title contenders.

But if forced to pick a favorite right now, Cleaves can't help but look toward Ann Arbor.

"It's hard not to pick Michigan right now, with what they're doing," Cleaves said of the unbeaten and No. 2-ranked Wolverines. "For me to say Michigan, you know it's got to be real, because I'm a Michigan State guy through and through. But you've got to give credit where credit is due.

"Michigan is a great team. Fun to watch, very well-coached and led by Trey Burke. He makes it easy for those guys. They have four guys who can get shots any time they want to. (Tim) Hardaway can get a shot any time he wants. (Nik) Stauskas has been a big surprise to everybody."

Cleaves also thinks Indiana is a contender, MSU has potential to get there before the season ends, and the Big Ten is the best league in the nation "by far" -- and the best it has been since he was leading MSU to three straight league banners in 1998-2000 and the 2000 national title.

Cleaves' opinions will be heard more often and by a larger audience now that he has joined SiriusXM Radio's college hoops show, "Inside College Basketball." The three-hour show debuts Friday and airs weekdays from noon-3 p.m. Cleaves joins a group of hosts that includes former college coaches Steve Lappas, Tom Brennan and Bobby Cremins.

He'll be able to host shows from his Flint home, and he'll continue with his other broadcasting endeavors: Fox Sports Detroit analyst for Detroit Pistons games, college basketball studio analyst for the CBS Sports Network and contributor to SiriusXM's NBA show "Off the Dribble."

"I've been real busy," Cleaves said. "Just like everything else, it takes repetition to do it. I jumped right in the fire, and I was learning on the fly, but I'm getting better.

"I've got the best job in the world, covering college basketball and the NBA -- real tough job."

MSU coach Tom Izzo has said for years he would like Cleaves, who played six seasons in the NBA, to get into coaching. But that's not on the immediate agenda.

"Broadcasting is like giving advice," Cleaves said. "You can be wrong. In coaching, if you're wrong, you lose. I'm not afraid of that, but I'm having fun with what I'm doing now. I do have a passion for teaching and working with kids, so I have not ruled out coaching at some point."